Chapter 1384: Resentment

The three women nearby, hearing the Demon Emperor's words, all urged Zu An to be careful. After all, the Demon Emperor's perception was far more acute than theirs. If he said there were mysterious creatures to be cautious of, they certainly existed and posed a definite danger.

Zu An, meanwhile, pondered the Demon Emperor's recent answer. If the Sun-Shooting Bow had always been in the Golden Crow clan's possession, then it didn't seem to be the Vermilion Bow and White Arrows from the legend of Hou Yi shooting the sun. However, it wasn't entirely certain. After all, Hou Yi's Vermilion Bow and White Arrows were gifts from the Heavenly Emperor, who was also the father of the Golden Crows. From that perspective, it wouldn't be contradictory for the Sun-Shooting Bow to have remained with the Golden Crow clan all along.

Countless conjectures sprang into his mind, and the more he thought, the more confused he became. He decided to stop speculating and just take things one step at a time.

The group proceeded along what was called a mountain path, though it was merely an area where vegetation was relatively sparse.

However, since everyone in the group was a master, clearing a path as they walked wasn't too strenuous.

Midway, they attempted to fly, but discovered that in this place, they couldn't ascend higher than a dozen feet. According to the Demon Emperor, this was clearly due to the local rules or the suppression by some rare treasure.

When mentioning the rare treasure, the Demon Emperor's eyes became noticeably fervent.

Zu An, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped, gazing intently at a mountain peak not far off.

This peak stood out from its surroundings, being completely barren with no vegetation. Its texture resembled a massive rock standing upright.

What was even more striking were three perfectly straight, narrow fissures extending from the summit all the way to the base, as if dividing the entire mountain into four sections.

Even from a distance, they could sense a sharp, formidable aura and an intense murderous intent.

"Someone carved this with sword energy," the experts present quickly and unanimously concluded.

Wu Liang clicked his tongue, saying, "Judging by the conditions around these fractures, they've clearly been here for at least ten thousand years. Yet, the sword intent and murderous aura have persisted until now. This mountain's barrenness must be a result of that murderous intent." He was an expert at assessing age, often having been involved in tomb raiding.

At this point, the Demon Emperor stated gravely, "The weapon used by that person must have been a divine artifact, and their cultivation was no less than mine."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. A cultivation level no less than the Demon Emperor's? What kind of being could that have been?

Zu An's heart stirred. In the legends he knew from his previous life, Emperor Yao sent Zhurong to execute Gun. Zhurong rested at the foot of a mountain and, while there, tested his sword to prepare for what lay ahead. Could this mountain be the very whetstone he used back then?

In the past, he would never have made such a connection, but since arriving in this world, he had discovered that many stories he once considered myths were manifesting in reality.

This world seemed to have countless ties to his previous life's Earth.

Just then, a surprised exclamation echoed in his mind: "How can there be such a fierce sword intent?"

Zu An was overjoyed. "Empress Sister, you're awake?"

For some reason, hearing her voice always brought a unique sense of reassurance.

"Ah, no wonder so many people like to be kept. This feeling is really quite nice."

"You brat, call me Master! How could I not wake up with all the commotion you're causing? Following you, there's never a peaceful day." Mi Li's voice held a hint of resentment.

Zu An's heart skipped a beat. "From what you're saying, you woke up just when the Demon Emperor appeared?"

"Nonsense, how could I not wake up with such a powerful oppressive aura?" Mi Li scoffed. "I originally intended to warn you to hide, but then the Record Book beat me to it. Who would've thought that charlatan book Lu Sheng found back then would actually be useful?"

"Then why didn't you speak to me just now?" Zu An secretly glanced at the Demon Emperor, not daring to show any sign of joy.

"Why should I speak to you when you have three confidantes by your side to chat with? Why would I intrude?" Mi Li said coldly.

Zu An felt a strange sensation in his heart. Why did her words sound so full of resentment?

However, Mi Li quickly continued, "Besides, I was also studying that puppet curse on you just now."

Zu An brightened. "My Master still cares for me!"

"Don't get too excited," Mi Li immediately poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "I can't undo this puppet curse either."

Zu An was speechless.

"After all, it was personally cast by a Celestial Immortal, and in my current state, I truly can't remove it," Mi Li's tone shifted. "However, by utilizing this unique world, I might be able to temporarily shield it."

"You should have said so earlier; you nearly scared me to death," Zu An sighed in relief.

"What are you so happy about? I can only help shield it because the rules of this world are chaotic. Once we return to the normal world, I won't be able to do it," Mi Li reminded him. "Furthermore, if I shield it, the Demon Emperor will definitely notice. So, it's best if you first escape his control before I help you shield it, otherwise it'll be useless."

"This is already enough," Zu An thought, feeling relieved. If they were outside, he genuinely wouldn't have the confidence to escape the Demon Emperor's grasp, but in this unknown land, there were infinite possibilities.

The legendary Sword-Testing Stone blocked their path. The mountain was originally too steep and difficult to cross, but fortunately, the fissures that appeared thin from afar were several people wide up close, perfectly allowing them to pass through.

However, the closer they got to the Sword-Testing Stone, everyone felt a stinging sensation on their skin, as if sharp sword energy was directed right at them.

The Demon Emperor snorted and, with a wave of his hand, enveloped the surroundings in a golden barrier, isolating the sword energy outside.

Everyone's pressure instantly eased. Even though they were hostile towards each other, they genuinely admired the Demon Emperor's cultivation.

After passing the Sword-Testing Stone, everyone's expressions changed. The path they had taken was lush and full of vibrant flora, but everything before them now seemed like a different world—utterly desolate, with an pervasive aura of death. Faint wisps of black energy drifted through the air.

"Could this also be caused by the sword energy and murderous intent from the mountain?" Prince Golden Crow speculated.

The Demon Emperor shook his head slightly. "No, what's gathered here isn't sword energy or murderous intent, but a dense… resentment."

"Resentment?" Not just Prince Golden Crow, but others too were puzzled. Could resentment really possess such power?

The Demon Emperor glanced at Zu An. "You go ahead and scout the way."

Zu An had been looking for an opportunity to escape his control, so he readily agreed. He winked at the women and strode forward.

"We'll go with you," the three women understood and started to follow, but the Demon Emperor stopped them. "You are not allowed to go."

The three women could do nothing but watch him with concern.

Zu An frowned, realizing he would have to find another opportunity.

He walked forward for a hundred meters, then suddenly frowned, sensing that something was wrong.

Normally, with his physical strength, he was full of vitality and energy at all times. Yet, after walking just this short distance, he was already a little breathless, as if in his previous life he had carried a bucket of water up many flights of stairs.

"Empress Master, what's going on?" Zu An quietly asked in his mind.

"How should I know about your own body? Do you take me for an omniscient, omnipotent god?" Mi Li retorted grumpily.

Zu An was speechless.

For some reason, Empress Sister seemed particularly ill-tempered today. Could it be "those few days" of the month for women? But she was in a soul state; could she still have a menstrual cycle?

Unconsciously, Zu An walked several more steps, then his body swayed uncontrollably. A wave of weakness washed over him, and he nearly collapsed. He also felt a sense of disorientation and confusion.

He suddenly felt an itch on his hands and feet. He instinctively scratched, only to be horrified to discover black scales appearing on his wrists.

He quickly checked his feet and found scales there too.

A chill ran down his spine. "What the hell!"

At this moment, Mi Li's voice sounded: "It seems you've been invaded by resentment. The surrounding resentment is very peculiar; it can affect the bodies and souls of cultivators within it. If I'm not mistaken, these scales will continue to grow."

Sure enough, Zu An noticed the scales on his wrists extending towards his elbows at a visible rate.

Mi Li said gravely, "Once these scales grow to your head, you will completely lose your mind and become an out-and-out monster."

Some people die, but they don't completely die...

He gasped for fresh air, his chest heaving.

Confusion, bewilderment—a mix of emotions surged through him.

Where was this?

Then, Shi Yu subconsciously looked around, becoming even more bewildered.

A single dormitory room?

Even if he had been successfully rescued, he should be in a hospital ward now.

And his body… how could there be no injuries at all?

Filled with doubt, Shi Yu's gaze quickly swept across the room, finally settling on a mirror by the bed.

The mirror reflected his current appearance: around seventeen or eighteen years old, and quite handsome.

His former self was a charismatic and handsome young man in his twenties who had been working for some time.

But now, this appearance looked like that of a high school student, no matter how he viewed it.

This change left Shi Yu in a daze for a long time.

Please don't tell him the surgery was a success…

His body and face had changed; this wasn't a matter of surgery at all, but rather divine art.

He had completely become another person!

Could it be… that he had transmigrated?

Besides the mirror by the bed, which was clearly placed in a spot with bad feng shui, Shi Yu also found three books nearby.

Shi Yu picked them up and saw the titles, which instantly left him speechless.

"Essential Beast-Rearing Handbook for Novice Breeders"

"Postpartum Care for Pet Beasts"

"A Guide to Evaluating Beast-Eared Girls of Different Races"

Shi Yu: ???

The first two book titles seemed normal, but what was up with the last one?

"Ahem."

Shi Yu's expression turned serious, and he reached out, but his arm quickly stiffened.

Just as he was about to open the third book to see what it was, a sharp pain shot through his brain, and a flood of memories surged forth.

Icefield City.

Pet Beast Breeding Base.

Intern Pet Beast Breeder.

Beast Tamer?